With a series of world firsts in its Carrousel Volant and Carrousel Minute Repeater models, Blancpain has once again become the first to put to technologically impressive horological complications together with a flyback chronograph in a self-winding version.
This feat could have been achieved by a handful of haute horlogerie brands, and for those that go one step further to develop these movements in-house, even far fewer.
This unusual threesome in the Le Brassus collection is distinguished by a range of complications exclusive to Blancpain.
First of all, the carrousel (or karussel), an exceptional mechanism revived and revamped by Blancpain in 2008, is represented in this model by its famous one-minute flying carrousel.
Next the minute repeater, whose sound has been optimized by Blancpain's extensive research. The blades of its cathedral gong wrap one and a half times around the movement in order to emit a sound of surprising quality. Gongs are fixed inside the case, enhancing transmission to produce remarkable volume and clarity. The latest improvement to the purity of the sound is a flying governor that reduces the background noise produced by the movement. Finally, to avoid any risk of damage, the system automatically disconnects the crown-adjustment system when the repeater slide is activated.
Thirdly, the chronograph which is one of Blancpain's key legacy development, particularly with the flyback or instant-restart function (historically used by pilots). The recurrent signature features of chronographs from the Manufacture – namely the column wheel and the vertical coupling-clutch – ensure the peerless precision of the function's activation. Inside, a truly original version of an unusual arrangement features a 30-minute counter at the centre of the calibre -- a horological mastery of the Blancpain movement design engineers.
All of these come together inside a new red gold 45 mm case with a chapter ring, a 30-minute and hour-markers in grand feu enamel. An openworked dial and the sapphire crystal case-back both highlights and provides in-depth views of this complex device. The special-shaped chronograph minutes and seconds hands are long enough to ensure maximal readability as they sweep over their corresponding indexes in an aesthetically pleasing way.
As one would expect from such an exclusive calibre, the bridges and mainplate are in 18-carat gold, a material that does nothing to facilitate the arduous task of the watchmakers from the Vallée de Joux.
It would be safe to say that the entire sum of Blancpain's proud high watchmaking legacy and expertise is now embodied in the new Carrousel Répétition Minutes Chronographe Flyback, and the technical marvel and innovation cannot be understated enough.
